Auqib Nabi’s rise in Indian domestic cricket has been nothing short of extraordinary. The star pacer delivered a historic performance in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy, emerging as the leading wicket-taker and the chief architect behind Jammu & Kashmir’s maiden title triumph. Over the last two seasons, Nabi has established himself as arguably the most prolific fast bowler in the Indian domestic circuit, claiming a staggering 104 wickets in just 18 matches.

Auqib Nabi’s splendid show in the Ranji Trophy

In the latest Ranji campaign alone, Nabi was virtually unstoppable. He picked up seven five-wicket hauls in the tournament — eight in the overall first-class season — equalling the record for the most five-wicket hauls by a pacer in a single season in India. His impact was felt most strongly in the knockout stages. Nabi grabbed five wickets in the quarter-final, repeated the feat in the semi-final, and then produced a match-defining spell in the final that swung the contest decisively in Jammu & Kashmir’s favour.

Unsurprisingly, he was named Player of the Series for his dominant performances. With such consistency and match-winning displays, many former cricketers and experts have openly demanded his inclusion in the Indian national squad.

Devajit Saikia responds to selection demands for Nabi

Amid the growing clamour for Nabi’s India call-up, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia addressed the matter in an interview with The Times of India. Saikia acknowledged the pacer’s remarkable performances and confirmed that his efforts have not gone unnoticed.

“He has played very well. His contribution has been major to the success of the team. He took five wickets in the quarter-final, five wickets in the semi-final, and left nothing in the final. His spell changed the final. So, everybody is taking note of it,” Saikia said.

The BCCI secretary also underlined the board’s commitment to ensuring that talent from every corner of the country gets due recognition. Saikia’s remarks indicate that while immediate selection is not guaranteed, Nabi firmly remains on the radar of national selectors.

“The BCCI has set the stage right so that no proper talent goes unnoticed. When selectors are present, their only focus is on players’ performances, which they are tracking closely. That is why so many players from small and lesser-known places are getting opportunities to represent the country. Regarding Nabi, he has come from Baramulla. Who brought him to this position? The selectors in J&K. The BCCI selectors did not bring him. But when he plays domestic cricket and represents his state team, the BCCI selectors keep an eye on domestic matches,” he added.

Also READ: Indian cricket fraternity reacts as Jammu & Kashmir scripts history with maiden Ranji Trophy victory by defeating star-studded Karnataka in final

Jammu & Kashmir’s historic Ranji triumph

The 2025–26 season of the Ranji Trophy will forever be remembered in Jammu & Kashmir’s cricketing history. On 28 February 2026, the team clinched their maiden Ranji Trophy title in their first-ever appearance in a final.

Led by veteran Paras Dogra, Jammu & Kashmir defeated eight-time champions Karnataka at the D. R. Bendre Cricket Stadium in Hubballi, ending a 67-year wait since their tournament debut in the 1959–60 season. The victory has been hailed as a transformative moment for cricket in the region.

The achievement resonated beyond the boundary ropes. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced a ₹2 crore cash reward for the team, celebrating their landmark success.

For Nabi, the title was not just a personal milestone but a symbol of a region’s cricketing resurgence. Whether his Ranji heroics soon translate into an India cap remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — his name is now firmly etched in the national conversation.

Also READ: Sourav Ganguly calls on BCCI to pick Auqib Nabi for India’s tour of England

NEW DELHI: Just days before their AFC Women’s Asian Cup opener against Vietnam in Perth, India’s women footballers found themselves dealing with an unexpected problem — ill-fitting kits and lack of proper training gear. In a rare and strongly worded letter to AIFF Deputy General Secretary M Satyanarayanan, all 26 players expressed frustration, saying the issue had hurt their morale at a crucial time.“Representing India on the international stage requires professional standards, including properly fitted and appropriate match and training apparel,” the letter said.The players revealed they had already faced problems during preparation due to inadequate clothing. “The arrival of incorrect match kits at this crucial stage has further affected morale and disrupted our focus in the final days leading up to the match.”Shockingly, the kits were reportedly too small, with sizes seemingly meant for Under-15 players and not fitting at least 80% of the squad. Even the coaching staff received incorrectly sized kits.“This tournament marks our return to a major continental competition after 23 years and is a significant moment for Indian women’s football. Unfortunately, on Matchday Minus 2… we discovered a serious issue. The kits supplied are not fit for purpose.”The letter, signed by eight senior players including captain Sweety Devi and Grace Dangmei but backed by the entire squad, demanded urgent action. “We urgently request: 1. Immediate provision of correctly sized match and training kits… 2. Confirmation that suitable replacements will be delivered before kickoff. 3. Clarification on the steps being taken to prevent such incidents in the future,” it further added.Despite the setback, the players added, “We remain fully committed to representing our country with pride and giving our best performance.”The AIFF later said new kits had been provided and cleared by AFC officials.

NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday inaugurated NDMC’s two-day Flower Festival at Connaught Place, drawing visitors to a colourful showcase of seasonal blooms and various floral-themed displays in the heart of the capital.The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) opened its festival at Connaught Place’s Central Park. The event began with a brief ceremony attended by NDMC officials and citizens.Gupta congratulated NDMC officials, stating that the council has helped build Delhi’s green and positive image.“People used to go to Kashmir to get their pictures clicked with tulip flowers; now they don’t need to go there, central Delhi has ample tulips,” she said while inaugurating the flower festival.“Whenever there is a big event, whether it was G20 or the recent AI India Impact Summit, NDMC has done a commendable job of keeping the area clean and planting thousands of tulip flowers,” CM Gupta said.She also urged other civic agencies in Delhi to draw inspiration from NDMC on how to create more green spaces in the national capital.“NDMC has become a model civic council for creating green spaces in the country. We want all of Delhi to be this green and vibrant,” the CM said on the occasion.If the need arises, the Delhi government will send horticulture departments of other agencies to come and train under NDMC, she added.The CM added that the Delhi government will provide NDMC with all the necessary resources to help build greenery across the city.The festival features a range of flower arrangements, landscaped exhibits and horticultural presentations aimed at promoting urban gardening and green awareness.Families, office-goers and morning walkers were seen stopping by the park throughout the day to view the displays and take photographs, officials said.NDMC officials said the festival will continue on March 4, with the civic body expecting steady footfall over the two days as the venue remains open to the public.The annual event is part of NDMC’s efforts to encourage interest in horticulture while adding a splash of colour to the Connaught Place area during the spring season, the officials said.

Russia on Tuesday indicated that it is ready to support India with energy supplies in case of any disruption arising from the ongoing crisis Middle East, amid increasing global concerns around impact of Gulf tensions on energy supplies and prices. Reuters citing sources said, “Russia is ready to help India with energy supplies in case of disruption due to Gulf crisis.”

The statement comes as India continues to closely monitor developments in the Middle East, where hostilities between the US and Iran have intensified, affecting trade, shipping lanes, and energy markets.Iran in its retaliatory strikes has targeted countries across regions including oil refineries and production sites. It has also closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz for all commercial activities, with IRGC warning any ship passing through will be set on fire. Petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said India has sufficient reserves of crude oil and petroleum products to manage short-term disruptions. “The trilemma of energy availability, affordability and sustainability continues to guide India’s approach, focused on meeting the energy requirements of our citizens,” Puri told the media.ANI citing sources said, India holds about 25 days’ worth of crude oil and 25 days’ worth of petrol and diesel stocks, amounting to roughly eight weeks of total inventory. Only 40% of the country’s crude imports transit through the Strait of Hormuz, while the remaining 60% comes from other sources. Indian energy firms continue to import Russian crude under existing contracts, providing an additional buffer.The minister noted that India has diversified its crude sourcing over the past few years to reduce vulnerability to regional disruptions. Public sector oil marketing companies maintain adequate fuel inventories, and strategic petroleum reserves serve as an extra cushion against potential supply shocks.The ministry of petroleum and natural gas has established a 24×7 control room to monitor fuel stocks and supply positions nationwide. Senior officials and heads of public sector energy companies attended the briefing, which focused on India’s preparedness strategy in light of the Gulf crisis, according to ET.Government sources emphasized that India’s top priorities remain uninterrupted fuel availability, protection of consumer interests, and the well-being of nearly one crore Indian nationals living and working in the Gulf region.“The government remains vigilant and prepared to respond to any potential disruption,” the ministry said, highlighting ongoing coordination with domestic and international partners to safeguard energy security.Middle East on boil: Russia says ready to help India with energy supplies in case disruptions

Hundreds of employees working in technology companies across America have signed an open letter requesting the Department of War (DoW) and Congress to withdraw its designation of Anthropic as a “supply chain risk.” Late last week, Anthropic and the Defense Department failed to reach agreement on a long-term deal for the military to continue licensing Anthropic’s AI models. In an angry post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump wrote, “The Leftwing nut jobs at Anthropic have made a DISASTROUS MISTAKE trying to STRONG-ARM the Department of War, and force them to obey their Terms of Service instead of our Constitution. Their selfishness is putting AMERICAN LIVES at risk, our Troops in danger, and our National Security in JEOPARDY. Therefore, I am directing EVERY Federal Agency in the United States Government to IMMEDIATELY CEASE all use of Anthropic’s technology. We don’t need it, we don’t want it, and will not do business with them again! There will be a Six Month phase out period for Agencies like the Department of War who are using Anthropic’s products, at various levels.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth followed up in a post that he would define Anthropic as a ‘supply chain risk’ to national security.The open letter calls upon US Congress to step in against the ‘supply chain risk’ label on Anthropic. It asks Congress to “examine whether the use of these extraordinary authorities against an American technology company is appropriate.” The signatories of the open letter include ‘founders, engineers, investors, and executives’ from major technology and venture capital companies including Anthropic, OpenAI, Slack, IBM, Cursor, Salesforce Databricks and more. Here’s the open letter.Following Anthropic’s exit from the Peantagon deal, OpenAI secured a contract to deploy technology on the US Department of Defense’s classified network. For this, the ChatGPT maker faced a lot of backlash and scrutiny after which Altman has recenlty said that OpenAI is changing its contract with Pentagon.

An Open Letter to the Department of War and Congress

We write as founders, engineers, investors, and executives in the American technology industry. We strongly believe the federal government should not retaliate against a private company for declining to accept changes to a contract.When two parties cannot agree on terms, the normal course is to part ways and work with a competitor. Instead, the Department of War has designated Anthropic a “supply chain risk” (a label normally reserved for foreign adversaries), stating that “no contractor, supplier, or partner that does business with the United States military may conduct any commercial activity with Anthropic.”This situation sets a dangerous precedent. Punishing an American company for declining to accept changes to a contract sends a clear message to every technology company in America: accept whatever terms the government demands, or face retaliation. The United States is winning the AI competition because of its commitment to free enterprise and the rule of law; undermining that commitment to punish one company is short-sighted and antithetical to our national security interests.We urge the Department of War to withdraw its supply chain risk designation and resolve this dispute through normal commercial channels. Further, we urge Congress to examine whether the use of these extraordinary authorities against an American technology company is appropriate.Respectfully,

In the latest shake-up of the international women’s cricket scene, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled its updated rankings, highlighting a significant shift in dominance. The Tuesday update reflects the high-octane performances from the ongoing multi-format series between Australia and India, along with crucial ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 matches. Two names have surged to the pinnacle of their respective categories, marking a new chapter for both Indian and Australian cricket as they solidify their status among the sport’s elite.

Smriti Mandhana and Alana King crowned No.1 in ICC Women’s ODI standings

India’s star opener Smriti Mandhana has reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings. With a current rating of 790, Mandhana’s steady form—highlighted by scores of 58 and 31 in the past week—was enough to edge past South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt. Mandhana’s return to the summit is a testament to her consistency at the top of the order, even as the Proteas captain looks to reclaim her position in upcoming fixtures against New Zealand later this March.

On the bowling front, Australia’s leg-spin sensation Alana King has achieved a career milestone by reaching the top of the charts. King (775 points) effectively ended Sophie Ecclestone’s nearly four-year reign as the world’s premier ODI bowler. Her ascent was fueled by a dominant week where she spearheaded the Australian attack, taking seven wickets at an average of 16.71. Her standout performance of 4/33 in the third ODI against India was instrumental in securing a massive 185-run victory for the hosts, further cementing her status as a big-match player.

Also READ: Top 5 wicket-keeper batters with most runs in women’s international cricket ft. Alyssa Healy

Shifting tides and other rising stars in the rankings

Beyond the headline-makers, the charts saw substantial movement following the conclusion of various international series. The legendary Alyssa Healy bid a fairy-tale farewell to the ODI format, smashing a breathtaking 158 off 98 balls in her final match against India. The Australian captain signed off in fourth place (744) in the batting rankings, leaving a void that younger talents like Georgia Voll are already looking to fill. Voll herself saw a massive 23-spot jump to 34th after a stellar series average of 54.

• Australian dominance: Australia now boasts five bowlers in the top eight, including Ashleigh Gardner (3rd), Annabel Sutherland (5th), Megan Schutt (7th), and Kim Garth (8th).
• All-Rounder excellence: Gardner remains the undisputed queen of all-rounders with a rating of 516, sitting nearly 100 points clear of West Indies‘ Hayley Matthews.
• Indian resilience: Despite a series loss, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur re-entered the top 10 for batters, climbing four places to 9th following three consecutive scores of 25+.

Notable gains were also observed in the T20I rankings, where New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr broke into the top 10 (8th) following a strong showing against Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Fatima Sana continues her rise in the all-rounder category, moving up five places to 15th after showcasing her power-hitting prowess. As the 2026 season progresses, these rankings set a competitive stage for the upcoming international calendar.

Also READ: Alyysa Healy, Beth Mooney sizzle as Australia whitewash India in Women’s ODI series

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

India’s white-collar job market grew 12 per cent year-on-year in February, driven by rising adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and a recovery in the IT sector, according to the latest Naukri JobSpeak Index report.The index rose to 3,233 points in February 2026 from 2,890 points in February 2025, marking the strongest February performance in recent years, reported PTI. On a month-on-month basis, hiring activity accelerated 23 per cent between January and February, higher than the typical 13–16 per cent rise seen during this period.The IT sector recorded over 6 per cent annual growth in hiring during the month, with freshers’ recruitment rising 8 per cent. India-based multinational IT companies led the surge, posting a 55 per cent jump in hiring, the report said.Within IT, demand for AI and machine learning roles remained strong. AI/ML hiring rose 40 per cent year-on-year, underlining a concentration of hiring in high-skill, high-value segments.The Naukri JobSpeak Index tracks trends in India’s job market based on new job postings and recruiter searches on Naukri.com’s resume database.Freshers’ hiring across sectors grew 17 per cent annually, while demand for roles in the Rs 20 lakh-per-annum salary bracket increased 23 per cent, reflecting strength at both entry-level and premium talent segments.Non-IT sectors also supported overall hiring momentum. Insurance led with 28 per cent growth, followed by BPO/ITES at 22 per cent, real estate at 19 per cent, hospitality and travel at 15 per cent, and retail at 14 per cent.Indian multinational companies expanded hiring by 24 per cent in February 2026.In the IT segment, AI/ML roles sustained a stronger trajectory, rising 49 per cent year-on-year. Indian MNCs increased AI/ML hiring by 82 per cent compared with 43 per cent growth by foreign MNCs, indicating that domestic enterprises are accelerating investments in new technologies.“IT hiring is recovering meaningfully, and Indian MNCs are investing in AI talent at a healthy pace. The underlying momentum heading into the new fiscal year looks genuinely solid,” said Pawan Goyal, Chief Business Officer at Naukri.

MBSG will play their upcoming home game against Odisha FC on March 5 at an empty Salt Lake Stadium. (Photo/AIFF)

NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) disciplinary committee has fined Mohun Bagan Super Giants and ordered full stadium closure of the Salt Lake Stadium for using “multiple instances of pyrotechnics” during the season opener against Kerala Blasters on February 14.As a result, MBSG will play their upcoming home game against Odisha FC on March 5 at an empty Salt Lake Stadium.

In their statement, the AIFF disciplinary committee explained that the penalty was imposed for yet another ‘spectator misconduct,’ as the club had been warned and given a suspended sanction of one year in April 2025. Mohun Bagan fans were found guilty of launching fireworks during a home game against Bengaluru FC on April 12, 2025. They were then handed a suspended sentence but were warned that a repeat would invite harsh punishment.After the latest infraction, MBSG were notified on February 16 and allowed time until February 21 to give a written reply. A week later, on February 28, the Disciplinary Committee considered the written and oral submissions and found the club to have infringed on Article 67 of the Code, read with Rules 7.3.8 and 7.5.4 of the Indian Super League 2025-26 League Rules.AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan said in a statement, “As per Article 117 of the AIFF Disciplinary Code, 2024, any party that feels aggrieved by a decision of the AIFF Disciplinary Committee has the right to appeal to the AIFF Appeal Committee. Such an appeal must be filed in accordance with the procedural rules laid down in the Code.”“Mohun Bagan have sent an email to the AIFF Secretariat this morning requesting the stadium ban be lifted. However, it needs to come through proper channels and procedure as per the provisions of the AIFF Disciplinary Code, 2024,” he said. “Fans are one of the key stakeholders of the game, and we appreciate their contribution. However, at the same time, the security and safety of everyone in the stadium is of paramount importance, and it is something that all parties need to ensure.”

‘Fans deserve better’

Earlier in the day, MBSG said it has accepted the fine and the ban on spectators for its upcoming home game.“The AIFF Disciplinary Committee has charged Mohun Bagan Super Giant over alleged spectator misconduct during the match against Chennaiyin FC. While the Club has responsibly accepted the financial penalty imposed, AIFF has gone to the extreme of ordering a FULL stadium closure for our home game against Odisha FC on 6 March 2026,” Mohun Bagan said in a statement.“We are deeply disappointed with the AIFF Disciplinary Committee’s decision to impose a full stadium closure for our home fixture on 6 March 2026.“While we have accepted the financial penalty in good faith, we believe closing the stadium unfairly punishes thousands of passionate, law-abiding supporters who are the heartbeat of our Club,” it added.The club said that its appeal to reconsider the ban was “in the interest of our fans.” “Football belongs to the fans. They deserve better,” it said.Mohun Bagan Super Giants are currently top of the ISL standings with three wins in three matches, ahead of Jamshedpur FC on goal difference.